Health foundation thankful for community support [Letter]

On behalf of The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation and its volunteers in Chesapeake Cancer Alliance (CCA) we want to express our sincere appreciation to all who participated and attended the recent inaugural Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk at Ripken Stadium.

This celebrates family, friends and community to honor and memorialize cancer patients and their families. Over 1,500 walkers participated, raising over $100,000 for Cancer LifeNet programs at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health's Kaufman Cancer Center. Cancer LifeNet is a free of charge navigation and support service for our friends and neighbors and their caregivers who are battling cancer. In 2013, over 1,250 individuals were provided this service, which is funded fully through philanthropy.

Our deep admiration and sincere appreciation go to Amanda Hichkad, her husband, Tejan, and her three children. Her faith, grace, and strength and that of her family inspired and motivated so many in our community to make this celebration walk a one of a kind.

We are grateful to all of those who supported this walk – individuals, local companies and The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation Board.  Without their support, this funding would not have been possible. This event was not only a huge success for Cancer LifeNet and cancer-related programs at the Kaufman Cancer Center but a tremendous community success.

Sandra D. Guzewich

Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation Board Member and CCA President

Linda MacNeill

General Chair of the Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk